Whether Qian Renxue was convinced or not didn't matter.
This battle was never meant to completely win her over.
What mattered was tearing a crack in her invincible belief and planting a seed called "Bai Mu" in the heart of that proud angel.
After all, in the original story, she was a godlike figure—someone who could even forgive Tang San, the son of Tang Hao, her "father's killer," and repeatedly tried to recruit him.
Compared to Tang San, Bai Mu was far more worth recruiting.
As for controlling her the same way he did Meng Yiran and Dugu Yan—using chains and "sweet coercion"—Bai Mu had never considered it.
First, the little angel didn't have two troublesome grandfathers like Dugu Bo and Meng Shu constantly stirring things up for their granddaughter. While acting as the Crown Prince, she worked diligently, searching for the Explosive Dragon and never provoking him.
Second, without a doubt, Bai Mu believed himself to be a good person.
A very good person.
If he weren't, then Meng Yiran and Dugu Yan would have been completely erased for daring to cross him—ashes included.
It was precisely because he was a good person that those people were able to live lively, healthy lives in this world.
Dugu Bo was captivated by his personal charm and willingly served him, even risking his life to seize an opportunity to capture Xiao Wu.
He… was just that kind.
Third, the evil poison hidden within the chained "cake" was restrained by angelic divine power.
There was no need to test it—those chains could never control Qian Renxue. Revealing that trump card would have been pointless.
Perfect.
He needed an ally.
An ally who could shelter him from the storm.
Not far from the valley, the Stand naturally dispersed, and Zygarde vanished as well.
As for his true body—
Bai Mu had remained within the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well the entire time, calmly controlling his clone from afar.
With nothing else to do, he had Zygarde replant the various herbs he had transplanted earlier.
As for the immortal herbs…
Bai Mu planned to attempt something no one on the Douluo Continent had ever done before—
Re-cultivating immortal herbs.
"Z2, can you do it?"
Bai Mu looked at the holes in the ground, faint traces of root grooves still visible.
In the original story, ten thousand years later, the immortal herbs Tang San had taken were able to regrow from their remaining roots.
By that logic, this should work too.
"Yes, Trainer. It's possible."
Zygarde focused on the buried root remnants, activating Jungle Healing and merging with nature. Life energy capable of healing all things continuously poured into the soil.
The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well possessed a unique environment, allowing plants to grow at more than ten times the normal rate.
With environmental support, the remaining roots quickly began to glow, splitting and regenerating at an astonishing speed.
In moments, a tiny blade of green emerged.
Less than half an hour later, a radiant chrysanthemum bloomed once more.
Nearby, Yearning Heartbroken Red, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Narcissus Jade Muscle and Bone, and Black Jade Divine Bamboo—all of which had been consumed—reappeared as well.
"Very good… just as I expected."
Bai Mu stared at the immortal herbs, a crazed smile slowly spreading across his face.
From the moment he obtained Jungle Healing, he knew this day would come.
Mass-producing immortal herbs.
"With these divine treasures… cultivating subordinates will be effortless."
A sharp glint flashed through Bai Mu's eyes.
The simplest method was like what Zhu Zhuqing had done—using herbal treasures to forcibly raise aptitude.
As for more advanced methods, he could even attempt to cultivate immortal herbs into hundred-thousand-year soul beasts in the future.
If everything went smoothly, even someone without innate soul power could be forcibly raised into a Title Douluo.
"Still… that's too far off."
Bai Mu steadied himself.
"For now, I'll focus on becoming a Soul Saint."
Late at night, inside the Dugu residence.
"Good. You've improved."
Bai Mu leaned against the bed, gently stroking Dugu Yan's hair as she served him.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, he sighed.
"Yanzi… do you think I'm being a little too kind?"
"Cough—kind?"
Dugu Yan nearly choked and looked up at him in shock.
"What kind of look is that? I'm asking seriously."
Bai Mu sounded impatient.
"I'm just surprised… Master only realized he's kind now."
She continued her movements, meeting his gaze earnestly.
"Grandpa bullied the weak and offended Master, yet Master was willing to forgive him, give us a chance to atone, and not kill us outright. Master is extremely kind."
"Is that so?"
Bai Mu gently stroked her neck.
"I'm not well-educated. Don't try to fool me."
"Yan Yan would never lie. Master is the kindest person."
Remembering that overwhelming presence, Dugu Yan answered even more sincerely.
"Sigh… I knew it. I'm still too soft-hearted."
Bai Mu sighed in genuine regret.
"If I keep being this kind, I'll suffer a big loss one day. Unfortunately… I can't change."
"…."
Dugu Yan didn't know how to respond and silently lowered her head.
Kind-hearted?
That was terrifyingly kind.
She had once wanted to die—now she couldn't stop living.
"Hehe…"
Bai Mu smiled faintly.
After becoming stronger, everyone around him had become "good people."
Even he himself had turned into a true philanthropist.
No one would ever call themselves a bad person.
Because…
The dead don't speak.
——
Time passed quietly through cultivation.
Aside from occasionally visiting the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to check on Z2 and the immortal herbs, and handling superficial interactions with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Crown Prince's Mansion, Bai Mu devoted nearly all his energy to training.
Interestingly, ever since the battle in the valley, challenge letters kept appearing in front of his residence.
Each time, Bai Mu merely smiled and casually burned them.
He knew they were proof of Qian Renxue's refusal to accept defeat.
But that was all.
He had more important things to do.
Finally, one month later, at dawn—
Under the rising sun, Bai Mu felt his soul power surge like a bursting river.
Level 50.
Broken through.
"Next… the fifth spirit ring."
His eyes shone brightly.
Suddenly—
Knock, knock, knock.
The door sounded.
"Lord Bai Mu," a voice said, "Sect Master Ning and His Highness the Crown Prince request your presence."
At the Prince's Mansion, Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, Chen Xin, and Qian Renxue were already present.
"According to intelligence, traces of a ten-thousand-year Booming Dragon have been discovered in the western desert."
Ning Fengzhi pushed an intelligence scroll toward Bai Mu.
Bai Mu opened it, carefully reading the location, time of appearance, and the soul beast's distinguishing traits.